Thank you for all the information you have provided; it will take me some time to digest it all. Finding pieces to the puzzle can often be overwhelming so thanks for your leads. I do have a few more questions.

Why wouldn't the CMSR state that he served in the medical corps while in active duty. Family records indicated that he did. Is it possible to have another Robert E. Smith's CMSR record? How did they identify the soldiers in those days if they didn't use social security nos?

On the other hand, if in fact he was a deserter according to the muster roll, maybe that's why he left Louisiana and came to Colorado to get away from his untrue stories. I'm hoping that is not the case, but there is no military record thus far to pr ove otherwise.

On a happier note, I have become obsessed with the Civil War as I have been researching my gr grandfather. I ordered a book that is suppose to have a fair and balanced view of life as a POW in Camp Morton. I can't wait to get it. It won't have anything specific about my gr grandfather, but I would like to know how he managed to survive. The name is "Camp Morton Prison Camp 1861-1865" by Hattie Lou Winslow.

Thanks, Sharon